November 8, 2002
This entry is for my sis Lil. She has always been a big fan of Sarah McLachlan's music. Her album called "Surfacing" is one of those albums that you listen to starting from the first track to the last, get up, and then hit the PLAY button and repeat three more times. I never owned a copy and got in the habit of borrowing it from time to time from Lil. I recently got my own copy and the cut "Angel" has a sound a big warm grand piano that just hangs in a beautiful acoustic space accompanied by her angelic voice. Prior to the setting down of the tracks to paper, McLachlan had the equivalent of writer's block....to get her out it, her producer gave her a CD to listen called "Good Dog Bad Dog" by a group called Over the Rhine. Nanci Griffith is another solo guitar artist in the best folk tradition. The one thing is that she has one of those ranges that is difficult to playback on audio systems without the hardness of digital playback becoming apparent. With the alterations to my system with the addition of the DI/O, I rediscovered her music about 2 months back with her retrospective look at her in a CD called "The MCA Years".
The ART DI/O DAC has its legion of fans in the tube amplification arena. Read what one of the major DIY types named VOLTSECOND did in terms of original modifications to the DI/O DAC. There are a number of additions to the "Volks_DI/O" set of mods that I am thinking about that should make a signficant improvement for the better (based upon comments by trusted hearing types that I've read). One of them revolves around capacitive bypasses around the U1 op-amp chip between the positive and negative supplies to ground. The next easy thing would be possibly upgrade the TL074 opamp to a Linear Technology LT1362 opamp. The other thing would be to update the resistors in the feedback loop to either DALE or Riken-ohm resistors.
Sept 29, 2002
I have been asked about updating my pages with regard to the running Linux with ATI's latest batch of Radeon based chips. In the past, I did this from the perspective of running "X-windows" on ATI hardware...mostly a 2D proposition. Mechanisms exist today to over-ride the identification of the chipset so that a backward compatible 2D engine can leverage legacy drivers. BUT...it would be nice to confirm...point taken. For all the "rage" that 3D has created, this is another aspect of a modern graphics card that has been altered. The creation of "modules" to support hardware will simplify and modularize support for both 2D and 3D to the extent that recompiles of the operating system and/or "X" will be a thing of the past. I have stood still on this front and continue to use a graphics card under Linux from about 2 generations ago...it ain't broke for me. I trust that information is out there and I know that cards today are created from inception to serve the workstation market (that means Linux). If you have useful links to send my want...please do. Until that time that I immerse myself and my system with new hardware and knowledge, it would be best if you got your Radeon Linux info elsewhere. This Xmas may see me update the system finally to an ATX board...old dogs are faithful to what works :)
Some new links/reviews added to the my Audio Pages for "audioholics" of Axiom M22ti and newly added link to Axiom's M2i mini monitor. As well, Links to recent sitings/articles of the Art DI/O DAC have been added to Audiophile Voice issue and the DI/O being nominated to one Stereo Times reviewer's 2002 Most Wanted Components List. Not too Shabby.
The Volks_DIO Standard are a set of inexpensive and "bang for the money" mods that get you very close to "ne ultra plus" of DAC sound. The effort is mostly your labour and moderate. The mods have all been auditioned in high end systems and "blessed". While some of the more "fanatical" DI/O modders have made wholesale changes of every electrolytic and some gone to the point of removing all ADC components, the works is "very...very" significant and can not be easily undone. These are the guiding principles that go into defining the "Volks_DIO" Standard. For now that consists of the output level mod, 1695a DIY digital cable, output cap short, shottky diode upgrade, and RCA cable compatible jack upgrade.
Sept 23, 2002
Caught in the rush hour traffic. The influence of the automobile is about 100 years in duration and yet it has the most profound influence on tne environment and the setup of our homes in relation to work and daily tasks such as shopping. This past Sunday was Car Free Day. Read the following PDF document put out by the Sierra Club.
"Perfect Sound Forever"...one more step toward getting a good sound from your outboard DAC (in my case a Art DI/O DAC) involves building a high quality 75 ohm double shielded coaxial digital interconnect based upon Belden 1695a cable. In the words of one:
How the heck does the quality of a cable carrying 0's and 1's make a
difference in the sound? I soon learned how and why.how can a stream of ones
and zeros have such an effect ?
In the words of another:
The first thing I noticed was an immediate sense of increased air and dimensionality, an apparent increase in fine detail and transparency. There was a much increased sense of air around instruments, a fuller more palpable sense of space in which sounds were within. With the increased sense of air and space notes seemed to hang on longer and and were more telling of the acoustical environment.
Sept 11, 2002
"All power corrupts...absolute power corrupts absolutely"
"At least a "C"..."
"low humanity not failure is crime..."
"The truth is in the middle"
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself..."
"a cult is cult...be it here or across the ocean..."
Sept 4, 2002
Axiom Audio has evolved their mini-monitor by replacing the tweeter unit with a metal dome tweeter used in their higher end units. Doug Schneider of Soundstage has just reviewed the Axiom M2i...world class sound between 70Hz to 22Khz.
Blue Circle has slowly gained status as a legitimate high end amplifier company. Gilbert Yeung has been designing and evolving his philosophy of amplifier design since he was ten years. They have recently introduce a entry level "CS" line of components composed of a preamp, power amp and integrated amp. Read the Enjoy the Music CS Integrated Amp review and Soundstage CS Integrated Amp review.
August 29, 2002
Update: ...Raging Bulls defend Title of Division Champions
August 18, 2002
The summer has had its share of diversions. ATI continues to forge ahead in desktop and mobile graphics. The R300/9700 introduces "state of the DX9" hardware exploiting 0.15um technology to its limit. These pages will try to consolidate much of this information (as in the past) but will relegate this task to other sites who have done much better job at this, such as Rage3D. My frined has often commented that chief rival NVIDIA is a far less diverse company than ATI (consumer, wireless, mobile, and desktop). When you a "hot product", though, it is easy to look like a genius. The shine that began with securing the XBOX graphics component two years ago is finally wearing thin as the fat part of its sales (0.25 um technology) is now being challenged by more graphics capable/modern DX8 (R200 and RV250 0.18um) hardware. Even their new chips are misrepresenting the technology in them by borrowing the GeForce4 moniker...the reality is that they are just GeForce2-MX technology. The low cost players are now Intel with its Integrated Graphics core (DX7) and ATI with the new A3 and A4 chipsets. ATI's new graphics chipset sourcing to graphics board manufacturers is now giving them choice in sharper looking and better performing basis to produce graphics cards.
Norah Jones...Norah Jones is a new face to the Jazz/Blues scene that seems to have struck a fancy with buying public who have taken a fancy to Diana Krall. In the audiophile sphere, the excellent quality of the recordings has leant it to be using as a tool in the review of audio equipment,as Doug Schnieder from SoundStage Magazine writes :
...Getting back to good old CD, a disc that has been receiving a lot of playing time on many SoundStage! reviewers’ systems is Norah Jones’ debut album, Come Away with Me. The young Ms. Jones is a jazz vocalist and pianist of considerable talent who has been signed to the prominent Blue Note label. Her first effort consists mostly of original material written by herself and members of her band along with a few carefully chosen covers. The recording is closely miked and has a spare sound consisting mainly of acoustic instrumentation and Jones' soft, lilting vocals. The opening track, "Don’t Know Why," is a stunner that showcases her vocal style, which conveys a sense of sincerity and maturity. Although most of the arrangements are rather deliberate and subdued, the recording quality is quite good. The vocals have an immediacy that is involving, and the instrumentation is clearly and precisely captured. Listen to "One Flight Down" or "Shoot the Moon" to see what we mean. If you don’t already have this album, as Doug Schneider said, "Go get it -- what a wonderful recording."
June 18, 2002
I've been away literally to Shangri La and back by way of a three week vacation in the middle part of China away from the mainstream cities such as Beijing. Gotta to
like the bikes and rural agriculture.
I have got my audio system back together again after lending out interconnect, AC filter, and CAT5 speaker cables. It took a few days but all is singing again with the Art D/O DAc. I am so taken by this box as it is the single biggest improvement to my system that I wrote up History of the Art DI/O craze . It highlights some miscellaneous notes about how it from taking its baby steps to being adopted by crazed audiophile parents. To get a sense of how good "audio" can get read the following confession by Claude G. Ciao!
April 27, 2002
With the emphasis of "more" channels and amplifiers (5 in all) for home theatre, it is no wonder that the readily quality differences in amplifiers established in "stereo/two channel" are on the wane. Getting two channel sound "right" is not trivial due to the acuity of the human ear. The CD format has been an overall boon to repeatable sound reproduction and the inside scoop is that the new SACD format may be flawed.
The Best of 2002 CES were awarded to Brian Cheney of VPMS loudspeaker fame. It is interesting to note that the associated electronics were provided by veterans of the audio industry in the form of John Curl and Bob Crump. Together they have been responsible for products from Levinson, Vendetta Research, etc. They are now associated with TG Audio and "CTC Builders". In the mix was the newcomer in the form of the ART DI/O outboard DAC modified by Bolder Cables. The "RM 40" speakers are a four way 260 lbs (per side) affair that have been favourably reviewed by none other than Peter J. Moncrief of Internation Audio Review fame. For the first time ever since its conception (back in the 70's), you can get a copy of a full issue in virtual public print by clicking here at IAR.
April 6, 2002
It has been a while since I have posted...must be the fall out from February 14 ;-) ....other than becoming rusty on in line HTML, I have been on one big audio nirvana trip and am close to hitting the pot of gold: "Decent sound on most CDs at any time of the Day". Nothing quite like the sound of Rosanne Cash's 10 Song Demo after a day in the fast paced high tech industry where there is this pathetic pattern ingrained from the PC era in the 70's of always being number one...unlike some industries (like the audio one)...the concept of being number two or even number ten can exits. In the computer industry, we need only look at AMD vs Intel or Compaq vs DELL and you will see what I mean. Who is to blame...ultimately the consumer out there afraid to deviate from the status quo. Linux is giving choice and a birth to a new paradigm called simpler is better. Bloated operating sytems and applications in need of heart bypass CPU upgrades is a waste of sand and silicon. Monopolistic practices have taken away the choice of simpler last generation operating sytems via planned obsolescence...not that I want to run DOS or Win 3.1, anymore, but it is probably fine for someone out there today....back to AUDIO...
The key is to stand on the shoulders of others who have practiced the craft of audio and to appreciate all that they have contributed to what must be classified as an art.
The short list would have to include a former employee of Jadis (Tube Amps) who convince my friend Danny to purchase his custom design "Soundtech" 50 Watt 6550 tube amplifier, Quiet Kote dampening compound, Axiom Loudapeakers/Doug Schneider, ART DI/O digital to audio converter, Jon Risch digital interconnect designs, Chris Venhaus speaker cable designs and guy living at the Kingston Kitchen name Lukas Fikus for his AC line filter design. So without further delay...some links to shorten your path to audio excellence:
- Soundtech Poweramp-one 50W 6550 Amplifier...web page pending
- Quiet Kote...available by the gallon but just a dab on your crystal oscillator will do ya. Blu-tak or Fun-tak from the Buisiness Depot will work fine as well.
- Axiom M3ti/M22ti aluminum mid/bass driver based two way speakers
- Jon Risch's Belden based 1695a digital cable with load end terminating cap. SACD may not be necessary.
- Chris Venhaus DIY CAT5 based speaker cable...take advantage of all the LAN hardware by mechanically cloning a Kimber 8TC like cable.
- Lukasz's amazing AC line filter...this modification to Jon Risch's AC line filter was birthed in the Kingston Kitchen that has also given birth to some truly original ideas related to speaker design.
To check your "path", get a copy of Neil Young's two CD collection called Decade. A compilation covering ten years of his music. On the second disk are cuts 5 and 14 called "Star of Bethlehem" and "Deep Forbidden Lake". Artistry, studio technique and performance are all wrapped up together with Young's fine sense of timing.
February 14, 2002
For some people, this day can be one of high expectation and disappointment. I read an essay in the Globe and Mail that captures the essence of this day for those who celebrate this day in more subtle ways.
High resolution images of the NAD 3020 amplifier that took the budget overchiever market by storm in the 80's are now available
February 02, 2002
I've added an updated review of the Axiom M22Ti speaker's after having them home for about a month. They were used with a second pair of 2/3 Venhaus DIY CAT5 cables that I made up from a 100 foot roll of Home Depot CAT5 cable manufactured by "General Cable". A last minute update occured when my friend suggested I try his heavily modified Pioneer DV-525 DVD player as a transport....wow!!! would be an understatement.
Digital audio has improved by leaps and bounds and as a result is much more accessible than in the mid-90's. There is more to refining the sound after you have chose your components. Part of the problem today is that all the features (sourrond, DTS, extra three channels, THX) serve to distract us from attaining the goal of higher fidelity and making the step from mid-fi to hi-fi...I know...it has taken me about twenty four years to discover the difference. Fortunately I can solder modify circuits, make my own cables and lean on friends to get there on a shoestring budget.
The "Cowboy Junkies" album titled "Trinity Sessions" is a must to anyone's record collection. It is yet another of those subtle album's that is simple but yet difficult to reproduce. This makes it a great tool (music too) for tweaking an audio system or verifying things are on the up and up. On the strength of a recommendation by the Junkies. I bought an album called Good Dog Bad Dog by Over the Rhine.
This album was released in 1996 and was recently re-released by Virgin.
The first song called "Latter Days" is a melancholy song beautifully played by Linford Deitweiler and Sung by Karen Bergquist. It could be the anthem for
the September 11 World Trade incident and the strength of the human soul.
